Acute Gastroenteritis: Adult ______Gastrointestinal

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Acute Gastroenteritis: Adult ______Gastrointestinal Acute Gastroenteritis: Adult _____________________________ Gastrointestinal Clinical Decision Tool for RNs with Effective Date: December 1, 2019 Authorized Practice [RN(AAP)s] Review Date: December 1, 2022 Background Gastroenteritis, also known as enteritis or gastroenterocolitis, is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines that manifests as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (Thomas, 2019). Gastroenteritis can be acute or chronic and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, injury to the bowel mucosa, inorganic poisons (sodium nitrate), organic poisons (mushrooms, shellfish), and drugs (Thomas, 2019). Chronic causes include food allergies and intolerances, stress, and lactase deficiency (Thomas, 2019). Gastroenteritis caused by bacterial toxins in food is often known as food poisoning and should be suspected when groups of individuals present with the same symptoms (Thomas, 2019). Immediate Consultation Requirements The RN(AAP) should seek immediate consultation from a physician/NP when any of the following circumstances exist: ● moderate dehydration (six to 10% loss of body weight), and blood pressure and mental status do not stabilize in the normal range within one hour of initiating rehydration therapy; ● severe dehydration (>10% loss of body weight); ● high fever and appears acutely ill; ● tachycardia or palpitations; ● hypotension; ● severe headache; ● blood or pus in stool; ● severe abdominal pain; ● abdominal distention; ● absent bowel sounds; ● altered mental status; ● older and immunocompromised clients; and/or ● severe vomiting (Interprofessional Advisory Group [IPAG], personal communication, October 20, 2019). GI | Acute Gastroenteritis - Adult The RN(AAP) should initiate an intravenous fluid replacement as ordered by the physician/NP or as contained in an applicable RN Clinical Protocol within RN Specialty Practices if any of the ​Immediate Consultation​ circumstances exist. Classification of Gastroenteritis Infectious Non-infectious Acute gastroenteritis is most often caused by Acute gastroenteritis can also be caused by an infectious agent. The most common mode dietary factors, medications, and metabolic factors of transmission is the fecal-oral route from such as: contaminated food or water (Thomas, 2019). ● coffee, Bacterial pathogens cause approximately 30 ● tea, to 80% of cases. Viral, and parasitic ● sodas containing caffeine, pathogens may also cause gastroenteritis ● antacids, (Huether, 2019). ● antibiotics, Common causes may include: ● diabetes mellitus, Bacterial: ● hyperthyroidism, ● Campylobacter jejuni ● adrenal insufficiency. ● Shigella ● Salmonella ● Enterohemorrhagic ​Escherichia coli ● Clostridium difficile (C.​ ​difficile) Viral: ● Rotavirus ● Norovirus virus Parasitic: ● Giardia lamblia ● Cryptosporidium ​(Huether, 2019; Thomas, 2019) Predisposing and Risk Factors Predisposing and risk factors for acute gastroenteritis in adult clients include: ● recent travel to ​developing countries​, ● immunocompromised clients, ● anal intercourse, ● residents of institutions or nursing homes, ● consumption of raw shellfish and seafood, ● consumption of contaminated food or water, ● crowded living conditions, and/or ● antibiotic and/or antacid use (Thomas, 2019). 2 RN(AAP) Clinical Decision Tools ©2019 Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association GI | Acute Gastroenteritis - Adult Health History and Physical Exam Subjective Findings The circumstances of the presenting complaint should be determined. These include: ● onset (abrupt or gradual) and duration of symptoms; ● alleviating or provoking factors; ● contact with someone with similar symptoms; ● degree of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; ● fever; ● abdominal pain or cramping; ● fatigue, malaise, anorexia, tenesmus, borborygmus (presence of symptoms depends on underlying condition); ● symptoms of dehydration; ● characteristics of feces (frequency, amount, fluidity, and colour); ● diet history, including food intolerances; ● recent travel; ● exposure to animals (e.g., reptiles which may harbour Salmonella, pets with diarrhea, or a recent visit to a farm or petting zoo); ● source of drinking water; ● intake of untreated water (e.g., swimming in a stream or lake); ● medications (e.g., antibiotics, antacids); ● medical/surgical history; ● sexual practices, including anal intercourse; ● social history, including living conditions, illicit drug use, alcohol use; and/or ● family history (e.g., colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease) (Thomas, 2019). Objective Findings The physical examination is usually normal in adults presenting with acute gastroenteritis, except for the gastrointestinal symptoms identified in ​Subjective Findings section (Thomas, 2019). The physical examination should look for signs of dehydration including: ● altered mental status; ● decreased capillary refill; ● decreased skin turgor which is tested on inner aspect of thighs or the skin overlying the sternum, and is less reliable in older clients due to decreased skin elasticity with age; ● dry mucous membranes of the tongue and oral mucosa; 3 RN(AAP) Clinical Decision Tools ©2019 Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association GI | Acute Gastroenteritis - Adult ● orthostatic hypotension, which is determined by taking supine blood pressure after the client is laying down for five to 10 minutes, and then taking the blood pressure as soon as the client sits or stands up, and again in this position after two to three minutes. A drop in systolic blood pressure ≥ 20 mmHg or a drop in diastolic blood pressure ≥ 10 mmHg from supine indicates orthostatic hypertension; and ● weight loss (Sterns, 2017). The RN(AAP) should be cognizant that: ● classical signs of dehydration such as loss of skin turgor, increased thirst, and orthostatic hypotension have a low sensitivity in older adults. ● dehydration may cause atypical symptoms such as confusion, constipation, fever, and falls (Hooper, 2016; Huang, 2018; Sterns, 2017). The following table can assist in determining the level of dehydration in adult clients, noting that moderate and severe dehydration require immediate consultation to a physician/NP. Physical Findings in Association with Degree of Dehydration Clinical Sign Mild Dehydration Moderate Severe Dehydration Dehydration Estimated fluid loss (% of < 6% 6-10% > 10% body weight) Level of consciousness alert lethargic obtunded or comatose Capillary refill 2 sec 2-4 sec > 4 sec, cool limbs Mucous membranes normal dry parched, cracked Heart rate normal or slightly increased very increased increased Respiratory rate/pattern normal increased increased and hyperpnea Blood pressure normal normal, but decreased abnormal orthostatic Pulse normal thready faint or impalpable 4 RN(AAP) Clinical Decision Tools ©2019 Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association GI | Acute Gastroenteritis - Adult Skin turgor (over sternum normal slow tenting or inner aspect of thigh) Eye appearance normal sunken very sunken Urine output decreased oliguria oliguria/anuria (Huang, 2018) Differential Diagnosis The following should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis: ● viral infection, ● bacterial infection, ● parasitic infection, ● diet induced (e.g., excess consumption of alcohol or fruit), ● medication induced (e.g., current or recent antibiotic use, laxatives, supplements), ● irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ● inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's colitis, ulcerative colitis, ischemic colitis), ● ischemic bowel disease, ● partial bowel obstruction, ● pelvic abscess, ● malabsorption syndrome (e.g., lactase deficiency), ● acute psychosocial stress/anxiety, ● any surgical alteration of the GI tract, or ● complications from diabetes mellitus, small bowel diverticulosis, Whipple’s disease, or chronic pancreatitis (Thomas, 2019). Making the Diagnosis Systematically ruling out all differential diagnoses through history, physical, and diagnostic testing where appropriate can help lead to a definitive diagnosis. Caution should be exercised in making the diagnosis and attributing gastrointestinal symptoms only to acute gastroenteritis. The following table may help identify the diagnosis. 5 RN(AAP) Clinical Decision Tools ©2019 Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association GI | Acute Gastroenteritis - Adult Clues to Underlying Etiology Sign or Symptom Potential Cause Bloody stool Bacterial pathogen such as: ● Shigella ● Salmonella ● Campylobacter ● Enterohemorrhagic​ Escherichia coli Symptoms present after eating hamburger meat E. coli Persistent diarrhea (> 2 weeks) ova and parasites Recent travel to Russia, Nepal, Rocky ova and parasites Mountains or other mountainous regions Exposure to infants in a daycare centre ova and parasites Men who have sex with men ova and parasites Symptoms after initiation of antibiotics and the C. difficile month following completion Vomiting as main symptom viral pathogen Suspected food or waterborne contamination viral pathogen Frothy stools and flatus malabsorption ​(Thomas, 2019) Investigations and Diagnostic Tests Laboratory tests are not usually necessary in clients with non-bloody diarrhea and no evidence of systemic toxicity (Thomas, 2019). Selection of the appropriate tests is based on the history and physical exam (Thomas, 2019) as well as through consultation with a physician/NP, as in most cases clients requiring testing are acutely ill. Stool testing for culture and sensitivity, ova and parasites, and ​C.​ ​difficile​ toxin, may be considered in clients with severe bloody diarrhea, fever of ≥ 38.5°C and symptoms on return from travel (Thomas, 2019). 6 RN(AAP) Clinical
Recommended publications
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Similarities and Differences 2 www.ccfa.org IBD Help Center: 888.MY.GUT.PAIN 888.694.8872 Important Differences Between IBD and IBS Many diseases and conditions can affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which is part of the digestive system and includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine. These diseases and conditions include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBD Help Center: 888.MY.GUT.PAIN 888.694.8872 www.ccfa.org 3 Inflammatory bowel diseases are a group of inflammatory conditions in which the body’s own immune system attacks parts of the digestive system. Inflammatory Bowel Disease Inflammatory bowel diseases are a group of inflamma- Causes tory conditions in which the body’s own immune system attacks parts of the digestive system. The two most com- The exact cause of IBD remains unknown. Researchers mon inflammatory bowel diseases are Crohn’s disease believe that a combination of four factors lead to IBD: a (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). IBD affects as many as 1.4 genetic component, an environmental trigger, an imbal- million Americans, most of whom are diagnosed before ance of intestinal bacteria and an inappropriate reaction age 35. There is no cure for IBD but there are treatments to from the immune system. Immune cells normally protect reduce and control the symptoms of the disease. the body from infection, but in people with IBD, the immune system mistakes harmless substances in the CD and UC cause chronic inflammation of the GI tract. CD intestine for foreign substances and launches an attack, can affect any part of the GI tract, but frequently affects the resulting in inflammation.
    [Show full text]
  • Report of Two Cases Presenting with Acute Abdominal Symptoms
    Journal of Accident and Tension pneumothorax: report of two cases presenting J Accid Emerg Med: first published as 10.1136/emj.11.1.43 on 1 March 1994. Downloaded from Emergency Medicine 1993 with acute abdominal symptoms 10, 43-44 G.W. HOLLINS,1 T. BEATTIE,1 1. HARPER2 & K. LITTLE2 Departments of Accident and Emergency 1 Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen and 2Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh INTRODUCTION diagnoses were peptic ulcer disease or acute pancreatitis. Work-up appropriate to these diag- Tension pneumothorax constitutes a medical noses was commenced. An erect chest radiograph emergency and rapid diagnosis should be possible revealed a large pneumothorax with mediastinal on the basis of history and clinical examination. shift to the left. Following drainage using a large Following treatment with the delivery of high con- bore needle there was immediate resolution of his centration oxygen and the insertion of a large bore symptoms and all abdominal signs. An intercostal needle into the pleural space of the affected side, chest drain was formally sited and full expansion of the diagnosis can be confirmed radiologically and his right lung was achieved after 36 h. He was dis- an intercostal chest drain formally sited.1'2 We report charged home after 3 days. two cases where diagnosis was not made on the basis of history and examination alone. Both cases Case 2 presented with symptoms and signs suggestive of an acute intra-abdominal pathology and the diag- A 37-year-old male computer operator presented nosis was only made on radiological grounds. with a 1-week history of general malaise associated with mild neck and back pain.
    [Show full text]
  • Chronic Diarrhea
    Chronic Diarrhea Barbara McElhanon, MD Subra Kugathasan, MD Emory University School of Medicine 2013 Resident Education Series Reviewed by Edward Hoffenberg, MD of the Professional Education Committee Case • A 15 year old boy with PMH of obesity, anxiety disorder & ADHD presents with 3 months of non-bloody loose stool 5-15 times/day and diffuse abdominal pain that is episodically severe Case - History • Wellbutrin was stopped prior to the onset of her symptoms and her Psychiatrist was weaning Cymbalta • After stopping Cymbalta, she went to Costa Rica for a month long medical mission trip • Started having symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea upon return from her trip. • Ingestion of local Georgia creek water, but after her symptoms had started • Subjective fever x 4 days Case - Lab work by PCP • At onset of illness: – + occult blood in stool – + stool calprotectin (a measure of inflammation in the colon) – Negative stool WBC – Negative stool culture – Negative C. difficile – Negative ova & parasite study – Negative giardia antigen – Normal CBC with diff, Complete metabolic panel, CRP, ESR Case - History • Non-bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain continues • No relation to food • No fevers • No weight loss • Normal appetite • No night time occurrences • No other findings on ROS • No sick contacts Case – Work-up prior to visit Labs Imaging and Procedures • MRI enterography (MRI of the • Fecal occult blood, stool abdomen/pelvis with special cuts calprotectin, stool WBC, stool to evaluate the small bowel) culture, stool O&P, stool giardia
    [Show full text]
  • Acute Gastroenteritis
    Article gastrointestinal disorders Acute Gastroenteritis Deise Granado-Villar, MD, Educational Gap MPH,* Beatriz Cunill-De Sautu, MD,† Andrea In managing acute diarrhea in children, clinicians need to be aware that management Granados, MDx based on “bowel rest” is outdated, and instead reinstitution of an appropriate diet has been associated with decreased stool volume and duration of diarrhea. In general, drug therapy is not indicated in managing diarrhea in children, although zinc supplementation Author Disclosure and probiotic use show promise. Drs Granado-Villar, Cunill-De Sautu, and Objectives After reading this article, readers should be able to: Granados have disclosed no financial 1. Recognize the electrolyte changes associated with isotonic dehydration. relationships relevant 2. Effectively manage a child who has isotonic dehydration. to this article. This 3. Understand the importance of early feedings on the nutritional status of a child who commentary does has gastroenteritis. contain a discussion of 4. Fully understand that antidiarrheal agents are not indicated nor recommended in the an unapproved/ treatment of acute gastroenteritis in children. investigative use of 5. Recognize the role of vomiting in the clinical presentation of acute gastroenteritis. a commercial product/ device. Introduction Acute gastroenteritis is an extremely common illness among infants and children world- wide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), acute diarrhea among children in the United States accounts for more than 1.5 million outpatient visits, 200,000 hospitalizations, and approximately 300 deaths per year. In developing countries, diarrhea is a common cause of mortality among children younger than age 5 years, with an estimated 2 million deaths each year.
    [Show full text]
  • Gastrointestinal Illness (GI)
    Gastrointestinal Illness (GI) Gastrointestinal illness (GI) is one of the most common causes of outbreaks in LTCFs. There are many causal agents for GI illnesses including: viruses like Hepatitis A and norovirus, bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella and parasites such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium. • Mode of Transmission: Person-to-person through the fecal-oral route, but can also be 2 transferred through contaminated food and objects • Symptoms: ◦ Bacteria – loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain/cramps, blood in stool, fever ◦ Virus – watery diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, headache, muscle aches ◦ Ova and Parasites – diarrhea, mucous/blood in stool, nausea or vomiting, severe abdominal pain • Duration: Less than two weeks Gastrointestinal Illness: Any combination of diarrhea (≥ 3 loose stools in 24 hours), vomiting, abdominal pain, with or without fever Gastrointestinal Illness Outbreak: The occurrence of more cases of GI illness in a 24-hour period than would normally be expected based on a facility’s individual surveillance data Precautions • Practice proper hand hygiene. • Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces. • Follow the CDC’s Standard Precautions guidelines. • Understand that any patient with foodborne illness may represent the sentinel case of a more widespread outbreak. • Communicate with patients about ways to prevent food-related diseases. • Wash fruits and vegetables and cook all food, including seafood thoroughly. • When you are sick, do not prepare food or care for others who are sick. • Wash laundry thoroughly. Reporting Process Upon suspicion of a GI outbreak, facilities are required to notify DOH-Collier at (239)252-8226. Once notified, DOH-Collier will provide initial guidance, educational materials and two forms (listed below).
    [Show full text]
  • Medical Terminology Abbreviations Medical Terminology Abbreviations
    34 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY ABBREVIATIONS MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY ABBREVIATIONS The following list contains some of the most common abbreviations found in medical records. Please note that in medical terminology, the capitalization of letters bears significance as to the meaning of certain terms, and is often used to distinguish terms with similar acronyms. @—at A & P—anatomy and physiology ab—abortion abd—abdominal ABG—arterial blood gas a.c.—before meals ac & cl—acetest and clinitest ACLS—advanced cardiac life support AD—right ear ADL—activities of daily living ad lib—as desired adm—admission afeb—afebrile, no fever AFB—acid-fast bacillus AKA—above the knee alb—albumin alt dieb—alternate days (every other day) am—morning AMA—against medical advice amal—amalgam amb—ambulate, walk AMI—acute myocardial infarction amt—amount ANS—automatic nervous system ant—anterior AOx3—alert and oriented to person, time, and place Ap—apical AP—apical pulse approx—approximately aq—aqueous ARDS—acute respiratory distress syndrome AS—left ear ASA—aspirin asap (ASAP)—as soon as possible as tol—as tolerated ATD—admission, transfer, discharge AU—both ears Ax—axillary BE—barium enema bid—twice a day bil, bilateral—both sides BK—below knee BKA—below the knee amputation bl—blood bl wk—blood work BLS—basic life support BM—bowel movement BOW—bag of waters B/P—blood pressure bpm—beats per minute BR—bed rest MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY ABBREVIATIONS 35 BRP—bathroom privileges BS—breath sounds BSI—body substance isolation BSO—bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy BUN—blood, urea, nitrogen
    [Show full text]
  • Diagnostic Errors in Referrals To
    DIAGNOSTIC ERRORS IN REFERRALS TO THE ZAGREB FEVER HOSPITAL VLADIMIR GRAHOVAC Dr med., Head, general practice unit, Gajevo-Jarun and BOZIDAR GAVAZZI Dr med., Head, general practice unit, Savska Cesta Health Centre "Tresnjevka", Zagreb Errare humanum, corrigere philosophicum est THE MOST sensitive indicators are those relating to the quality of work. There are many indices of various degrees of objec- tivity for the evaluation of the quality of the doctor's work. One of them concerning hospital physicians is the degree of agreement between clinical diagnosis and postmortem findings 1. A similar indicator for non-hospital doctors is the degree ofagreement between their referral diagnosis and hospital discharge diagnoses. Since in Yugoslavia there are a great many contradictory opinions of the quality of work of doctors in general, and general practitioners in particular, and since they are often based on impressions and emotions rather than on objective studies, we decided to analyse the degree of agreement between referral diagnoses of the cases sent to the Zagreb fever hospital (hospital for contagious diseases) and the discharge diagnoses of this hospital. Although aware of defi- ciencies of this kind of study which relates only to a single hospital, and a specialized one at that, we decided to use it for the following reasons: 1. The fever hospital is one of the hospitals in which most case histories, in addition to referral diagnoses, contain the name of the physician who referred the patient to the hospital. This makes the subsequent identification possible. 2. Patients are for the most part sent to the fever hospital directly, without any preceding consultation with another doctor specialist or laboratory analysis.
    [Show full text]
  • ROTAVIRAL INFECTION Simple Choice Multiple Choice
    ROTAVIRAL INFECTION Simple choice 1. Choose the most receptive age for rotavirus infection: A. Newborns B. Children after 5 years C. Children 6-36 months D. Adults E. Elderly people 2. Select the causative agent that commonly cause viral diarrhea in children: A. Enterovirus B. Herpesvirus C. Coronavirus D. Astrovirus E. Rotavirus 3. Specify the character of the stool in the case of rotavirus infection in children: A. Frequent, poor, with mucus and blood, false calls and tenesmus, B. Liquid, frequent, light, greenish, mucous C. Frequent, aqueous, light, undigested, golden yellow or whitish D. Sanguinolent (with liquid blood), hemolytic-uremic syndrome, toxic shock E. Liquid stools, abdominal pain, followed by asymmetric and hypotonic flaccid paralysis. 4. Choose the etiological diagnosis of rotavirus infection: A. Lumbar puncture B. Biochemical blood test C. Blood culture D. Detection of rotavirus antigen in faces by ELISA E. Collecting the anamnestic of the disease and the objective examination thoroughly 5. Choose the basic treatment of Rotavirus infection in children: A. Antibacterial drugs B. Oral Rehydration C. Probiotics with high content of lacto and bifidobacteria D. Spasmolytics E. Corticosteroids Multiple choice 1. Indicate the main pathogenic mechanisms for rotavirus infection: A. Ulcerative and fibrinous necrotic inflammation in the submucosal and muscular layers of the large intestine B. Disaccharides deficiency C. Disruption of ideal water transport, sodium, and absorption abatement D. Fibrous inflammation of the large intestine mucosa E. Destruction of small intestine epitheliocytes 2. Choose the clinical signs characteristic of rotavirus infection in children: A. Confluent macula-papular rash spread throughout the body B. Acute debut with fever, vomiting, moderate, permanent periumbilical abdominal pain C.
    [Show full text]
  • Chronic Viral Hepatitis in a Cohort of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
    pathogens Article Chronic Viral Hepatitis in a Cohort of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients from Southern Italy: A Case-Control Study Giuseppe Losurdo 1,2 , Andrea Iannone 1, Antonella Contaldo 1, Michele Barone 1 , Enzo Ierardi 1 , Alfredo Di Leo 1,* and Mariabeatrice Principi 1 1 Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University “Aldo Moro” of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; [email protected] (G.L.); [email protected] (A.I.); [email protected] (A.C.); [email protected] (M.B.); [email protected] (E.I.); [email protected] (M.P.) 2 Ph.D. Course in Organs and Tissues Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University “Aldo Moro” of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +39-080-559-2925 Received: 14 September 2020; Accepted: 21 October 2020; Published: 23 October 2020 Abstract: We performed an epidemiologic study to assess the prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to detect their possible relationships. Methods: It was a single centre cohort cross-sectional study, during October 2016 and October 2017. Consecutive IBD adult patients and a control group of non-IBD subjects were recruited. All patients underwent laboratory investigations to detect chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infection. Parameters of liver function, elastography and IBD features were collected. Univariate analysis was performed by Student’s t or chi-square test. Multivariate analysis was performed by binomial logistic regression and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. We enrolled 807 IBD patients and 189 controls. Thirty-five (4.3%) had chronic viral hepatitis: 28 HCV (3.4%, versus 5.3% in controls, p = 0.24) and 7 HBV (0.9% versus 0.5% in controls, p = 0.64).
    [Show full text]
  • Innovative Care for Chronic Conditions
    Innovative Care for Chronic Conditions Building Blocks for Action global report Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health World Health Organization WHO Library Cataloging-in-Publication Data Innovative care for chronic conditions: building blocks for action: global report 1. Chronic disease 2. Delivery of health care, Integrated 3. Long-term care 4. Public policy 5. Consumer participation 6. Intersectoral cooperation 7. Evidence-based medicine I. World Health Organization. Health Care for Chronic Conditions Team. ISBN 92 4 159 017 3 (NLM classification: WT 31) This publication is a reprint of material originally distributed as WHO/MNC/CCH/02.01 © World Health Organization 2002 All rights reserved. Publications of the World Health Organization can be obtained from Marketing and Dissemination, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland (tel: +41 22 791 2476; fax: +41 22 791 4857; email: [email protected]). Requests for permission to repro- duce or translate WHO publications – whether for sale or for noncommercial distribution – should be addressed to Publications, at the above address (fax: +41 22 791 4806; email: [email protected]). The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.
    [Show full text]
  • Traveler's Diarrhea
    Traveler’s Diarrhea JOHNNIE YATES, M.D., CIWEC Clinic Travel Medicine Center, Kathmandu, Nepal Acute diarrhea affects millions of persons who travel to developing countries each year. Food and water contaminated with fecal matter are the main sources of infection. Bacteria such as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, enteroaggregative E. coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Shigella are common causes of traveler’s diarrhea. Parasites and viruses are less common etiologies. Travel destination is the most significant risk factor for traveler’s diarrhea. The efficacy of pretravel counseling and dietary precautions in reducing the incidence of diarrhea is unproven. Empiric treatment of traveler’s diarrhea with antibiotics and loperamide is effective and often limits symptoms to one day. Rifaximin, a recently approved antibiotic, can be used for the treatment of traveler’s diarrhea in regions where noninvasive E. coli is the predominant pathogen. In areas where invasive organisms such as Campylobacter and Shigella are common, fluoroquinolones remain the drug of choice. Azithromycin is recommended in areas with qui- nolone-resistant Campylobacter and for the treatment of children and pregnant women. (Am Fam Physician 2005;71:2095-100, 2107-8. Copyright© 2005 American Academy of Family Physicians.) ILLUSTRATION BY SCOTT BODELL ▲ Patient Information: cute diarrhea is the most com- mised and those with lowered gastric acidity A handout on traveler’s mon illness among travelers. Up (e.g., patients taking histamine H block- diarrhea, written by the 2 author of this article, is to 55 percent of persons who ers or proton pump inhibitors) are more provided on page 2107. travel from developed countries susceptible to traveler’s diarrhea.
    [Show full text]
  • Frequently Used Diagnosis Codes
    Frequently Used Diagnosis Codes LIVER DIAGNOSIS CODES: Kidney/Pancreas Diagnosis Codes Abdominal pain, generalized R10.84 Abdominal pain, unspec site R10.84 Abdominal pain, RUQ R10.11 Diabetes type I (juvenile) controlled E10.9 Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency E88.01 Diabetes type II controlled E11.9 Ascites, other R18.8 Diabetic Nephrosis E11.21 Autoimmune disease, NOS M35.9 Kidney Transplant Complication T86.10 Biliary atresia Q44.2 Kidney Transplant, Failure T86.12 Blood in stool K92.1 Kidney Transplant, Infection T86.13 Cholangitis and/or PSC K83.0 Kidney Transplant, Rejection T86.11 Cirrhosis, Biliary (PBC-PSC) K74.5 Pancreas Transplant Complication T86.899 Cirrhosis, Liver w/o Alcohol K74.60 Renal Failure, ESRD N18.6 Cirrhosis, Liver w/Alcohol K70.30 Transplant-Kidney Status Post Z94.0 Colitis, Ulcerative Unspec K51.90 Transplant -Pancreas Status Post Z94.83 Crohn's Disease, large intestine K50.10 Cystic disease, liver, congential Q44.6 Heart/Lung Diagnosis Codes Encephalopathy, Hepatic K72.90 Airway Stenosis J98.8 Esophageal Varices w/ bleeding I85.00 Cardiomyopathy, NOS, Idiopathic I42.8 Esophageal Varices W/O bleeding I85.01 Complication Heart Transplant - T86.21 Hepatitis A, Viral w/p hepatic coma B15.9 Complication Lung Transplant -T86.810 Hepatitis B, Chronic B18.1 COPD J44.9 Hepatitis B, Acute B16.9 Failure, Congestive Heart I50.9 Hepatitis C, Acute w/o hepatic coma B17.10 Fibrosis, Cystic E84.9 Hepatitis C, Chronic B18.2 Fibrosis, Pulmonary I84.10 Hepatosplenomegaly R16.2 Fibrosis, Idiopathic J84.112 Jaundice, not newborn
    [Show full text]